Kia Soul review
The Kia Soul is a funky, boxy crossover that oozes personality while offering surprising practicality and solid build quality.
Author: The Cazoo editorial team
8th Jan 2026 – 8 mins read
Let’s be honest, most cars on the road today look pretty similar. But not the Kia Soul. If you’re the sort of person who likes to stand out from the crowd, this boxy little crossover is probably right up your street. It’s a car that refuses to blend into the background, offering a quirky, cheerful alternative to the usual hatchbacks and SUVs. But don’t be fooled by its playful looks—the Soul is surprisingly sensible underneath. That square shape means there’s loads of headroom inside, and because the wheels are pushed right out to the corners, there’s a decent amount of space for passengers, too. While the latest versions are electric-only, there are plenty of petrol and diesel models on the used market that offer great value for money. It’s a car that proves practical doesn't have to be boring.
Pros
- Unique, funky styling that really stands out
- Boxy shape makes for a surprisingly roomy interior
- Generous amounts of standard equipment
Cons
- Petrol engines can be a little thirsty
- The ride can feel a bit firm on bumpy roads
- It’s not as sharp to drive as some rivals
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The Soul’s personality doesn't stop at the exterior paintwork; it continues right inside the cabin. While some rivals play it safe, the Soul features circular themes and funky design touches that make it feel a bit special. On second-generation models (from 2014 onwards), the material quality took a big step up, with more soft-touch plastics and a sturdier feel.
Equipment levels are generally very good. Even the entry-level models come with the essentials like air conditioning. However, if you can, we’d recommend aiming for a mid-spec ‘2’ or ‘Connect’ trim. These usually come with a user-friendly 7-inch touchscreen that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on later models (from late 2016), making it super easy to hook up your phone and get your playlists going.
Comfort
Thanks to its SUV-like stance, you sit quite high up in the Soul, which gives you a great view of the road ahead—something we know lots of you love. The seats are supportive enough for longer trips, though the ride can be a little firm. You might feel the bumps a bit more than in some softer rivals, but it’s rarely uncomfortable. It’s a car that feels solid and secure, which is exactly what you want when you’re navigating the urban jungle.
Quality
Kia has built a fantastic reputation for reliability and build quality over the years, and the Soul is a testament to that. Everything inside feels well-screwed together. It might not have the plush, luxury materials of a premium German brand, but it feels durable and ready to handle the rigours of daily life. It’s an honest, robust interior that should stand the test of time.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
This is where that boxy shape really pays off. Unlike some sleek crossovers with sloping roofs that eat into headroom, the Soul’s flat roofline means even tall adults can sit in the back without brushing their hair against the ceiling. Legroom is generous too, thanks to a cleverly designed wheelbase.
It’s spacious enough to carry four adults in comfort. Squeezing a third person into the middle rear seat might be a bit of a squeeze for long journeys, but that’s true of almost every car in this class. There are also plenty of handy storage cubbies dotted around the cabin to keep your bits and bobs tidy.
Boot space
The boot offers 354 litres of space. To put that in perspective, it’s a decent size—perfectly capable of swallowing the weekly shop or a couple of suitcases for a weekend away. It’s similar to what you’d find in a Nissan Juke or Peugeot 2008, though it falls a little short of the class-leading Renault Captur. If you need to carry something bigger, the rear seats fold down to open up a very useful 1,367 litres of space. Plus, an adjustable boot floor adds a nice layer of flexibility.
Versatility
The Soul straddles the line between a hatchback and an SUV, giving you the best of both worlds. It’s compact enough to be easy to park in tight city spaces, but roomy enough to handle family life. Whether you’re doing the school run or heading out for a road trip, the Soul adapts well to whatever you throw at it.
Driving
Driving experience
Behind the wheel, the Soul is easy and agreeable rather than sporty. The steering is light, which makes parking a doddle, but it doesn't give you loads of feedback when you're going faster on twisting roads. The body roll is well-controlled for a tall car, so it doesn't lean too much in corners.
While there was a sporty version with a powerful turbo engine introduced in 2017, most Souls are happier at a relaxed pace. It’s an eager and likeable companion for town driving and motorway cruising, even if it isn't quite as engaging to drive as a Ford Puma or Mazda CX-3.
Performance
For most of its life, the non-electric Soul was available with a choice of 1.6-litre engines. The standard 1.6-litre petrol engine with 130bhp is decent enough for getting around town, taking just under 11 seconds to get to 60mph.
If you want a bit more punch, there’s a 201bhp turbocharged petrol engine (the T-GDI) which feels properly quick, sprinting to 60mph in 7.5 seconds. However, for many drivers, the 1.6-litre diesel with 134bhp is the sweet spot. It offers plenty of pulling power for overtaking and is more relaxed on the motorway.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
If keeping fuel bills down is your priority, you’ll want to look closely at the engine choice. The petrol engines, while smooth, aren't the most efficient in the class. You can expect fuel economy in the low-to-mid 40s (mpg).
The diesel engine is much friendlier on your wallet for high-mileage drivers, capable of returning nearly 59mpg. Of course, if you’re looking at newer models, the Soul is now exclusively electric, which offers the lowest running costs of all—but for the petrol and diesel models we’re discussing here, the diesel is the efficiency king.
Value for money
The Kia Soul has always been about great value. It was priced competitively when new, and it’s an absolute bargain on the used market. You get a lot of personality and practicality for your money. Because Kias don't always hold their value as strongly as some premium brands, used buyers can pick up a well-equipped, modern car for a very attractive price.
Reliability & Warranty
Kia has a brilliant track record for reliability, and the Soul is generally a very dependable car. From new, these cars came with Kia’s industry-leading seven-year warranty. This means that even if you’re buying a used model that’s three or four years old, you might still have a significant chunk of manufacturer warranty left, giving you real peace of mind.
Safety
Safety features
When the second-generation Soul was tested by Euro NCAP, it was awarded a four-star safety rating. While it missed out on the maximum five stars, it’s still a safe, solid car. It comes with the essentials you’d expect, like stability control and plenty of airbags.
Later models (from late 2016 onwards) got a tech boost, introducing features like blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert to help keep you out of trouble when changing lanes or reversing out of parking spaces.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
Kia kept things refreshingly simple with the Soul’s trim levels, mostly naming them ‘1’, ‘2’, and ‘3’.
- Soul 1: The entry-level version. It covers the basics like air conditioning, electric mirrors, and keyless entry, but misses out on the fancy touchscreen.
- Soul 2: The sweet spot for many. It adds 17-inch alloy wheels, the touchscreen infotainment system (with smartphone connectivity on later cars), and automatic lights.
- Soul 3: Adds luxury touches like an upgraded sound system, larger wheels, and often heated leather seats.
- Sport/Mixx/Maxx: Over the years, Kia released various special editions with bright contrasting roof colours and sportier styling kits, usually based on the higher trims.
Engines
- 1.6 GDi Petrol: A non-turbo engine with 130bhp. Available with a six-speed manual gearbox. Fine for town but needs to be worked hard on the motorway.
- 1.6 CRDi Diesel: A 134bhp diesel engine available with a manual or automatic gearbox. Offers the best fuel economy and effortless cruising ability.
- 1.6 T-GDI Petrol: A powerful turbocharged engine with 201bhp, found in the 'Sport' models. It comes with a seven-speed automatic gearbox and offers hot-hatch levels of performance.